title: Diagnosis and management of intestinal partial obstruction in a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
abstract: A loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was suspected of ingesting rubber suction cups during rehabilitation following a cold-stun event. Survey radiographs were inconclusive. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to determine whether the objects had been ingested after traditional radiographs failed to resolve the material. The items were identified, and a partial obstruction was diagnosed. The case was managed with medical therapy using white petrolatum and light mineral oil administered to the turtle in fish for 3 wk. The CT exam was repeated 2 wk into the therapy. A persistent partial obstruction was identified; however, progression of the foreign objects through the intestinal tract was evident and continued medical mangement was deemed appropriate. The foreign bodies were passed with feces 26 days after ingestion.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Life Center, 120 Main Street, P.O. Box 269, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 02532-0269, USA. rwilliams@nmlc.org
authors.forename: Sea Rogers
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.forename: Bridget
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dunnigan
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zagzebski
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ketten
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cramer
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arruda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014426:Turtles
chemical_list: D054368:Laxatives; D010577:Petrolatum; D008899:Mineral Oil